Will Your IRA Beneficiaries Face a Tax Bill?

February 21, 2017

If you’re like many retirees, a large portion of your assets may be held in qualified accounts like an IRA or a 401(k) plan. Qualified accounts make for attractive retirement savings vehicles because of their unique tax treatment. Your gains aren’t taxed as long as the funds stay in the account, which may allow your funds to compound at a faster rate.

Tax-deferral doesn’t last forever, though. If you take distributions from your qualified accounts, you will likely face income taxes on those withdrawals. Roth IRA accounts allow for tax-free withdrawals after age 59½, but distributions from most other qualified accounts are taxed as income.

That taxation rule is just as true for death claim distributions as it is for other withdrawals. Your qualified account beneficiaries will likely face the same tax treatment on the death benefit that you would have faced on retirement distributions. In other words, the death benefit for a traditional IRA or 401(k) is usually taxed as income, just as distributions are taxed.

While you may want to pass your assets on to your loved ones, you may not want to leave them with a sizable tax bill or with other fees. If the assets are substantial enough, the death benefit could even push your beneficiaries into a higher tax bracket.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the tax obligation. Below are three steps to consider:

Take your required minimum distributions as scheduled.

In most qualified accounts, you are required to take distributions starting at age 70½. This isn’t true of Roth IRAs, but it is true of most other qualified accounts. The amount of these required minimum distributions, called RMDs, is based on the balance of your account and your life expectancy. The required withdrawal rate usually increases as you get older.

If you don’t take your RMDs, you’ll face up to a 50 percent excise tax on the missed distribution. If you don’t pay the excise tax before you pass away, it could be levied on your estate. If your IRA beneficiaries are also the heirs of your estate, they may have to pay that tax out of your estate’s assets. They may be able to apply for a waiver, but there’s no guarantee it will be approved.

The easiest way to minimize this threat is to take your RMDs as scheduled. If you miss a distribution, it’s often wise to correct the mistake as soon as possible and pay the excise tax. A financial professional can help you manage your RMD obligations.

Consider a Roth conversion.

Are much of your assets in a traditional IRA? If so, you may want to consider a strategy known as a Roth conversion, which is the process of transitioning traditional IRA funds into a Roth IRA. You have to pay taxes on the converted amount. However, you’ll avoid taxes on future distributions, and your beneficiaries won’t face taxes on their death claim.

A Roth conversion isn’t for everyone, so review it carefully before moving forward. The strategy often works best when you can pay the conversion tax from non-IRA assets and when you can allow the new Roth funds to accumulate before starting distributions. If you need income now, a Roth conversion may not be the best strategy.

Talk with your loved ones.

Your beneficiaries will likely have a range of options for how they take their benefit after you pass away. While the distribution may be taxable, that doesn’t mean they have to pay the taxes all at once. They may have options to spread the income and taxes over several years or even over their lifetime.

Talk with your beneficiaries about your qualified accounts and their death benefit options. If they understand their options in advance, they can plan ahead and manage the tax obligation.

Ready to start the planning process? Let’s talk about it. Contact us at Grand Canyon Planning Associates. We welcome the chance to help you analyze your needs and develop a plan. Let’s connect today.

*Securities and Advisory Services offered through Client One Securities, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC and an investment advisor.
Grand Canyon Planning Associates, LLC and Client One Securities, LLC are not affiliated.